COLTON: Serving Up Healthy seminar for diabetics held

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Registered Dietitian, Marilou Fraire, played myth-buster during a Serving Up Healthy seminar on Wednesday, when common myths about food and diabetes were discussed along with various other diabetes-related topics before 60 attendees.

Fraire demonstrated how to make Cheesy Baked Zucchini, Low-Fat Beef Stew, and Pumpkin Brownies while providing tips and suggestions for diabetics, such as using a very lean cut of beef in the stew recipe. Fraire debunked the myth that diabetics are not allowed to eat meat, saying instead to choose lean cuts.

“Cooking for diabetics can be easy, and making simple substitutions like using less sugar in a recipe or using natural sugars from applesauce can make meals for diabetics an enjoyable experience,” said Fraire.

ARMC Diabetes Nurse Educator, Carol Farris, gave an overview of diabetes, provided daily tips for diabetics, and emphasized the importance of not missing any meals.

ARMC Director of Cardiac Services, Dr. Steve Fitzmorris, spoke to participants about diabetes and heart health. He said that to prevent heart attacks in diabetics it is important to control blood pressure and cholesterol. A diabetic’s cholesterol is smaller and denser than the average person’s cholesterol, so it passes more easily through the walls of the artery and can contribute to the narrowing of an artery.

“I don’t want to follow my ancestors’ path to diabetes,” said attendee Memory Lane, of San Bernardino. “It’s time to carve a new path in my family toward the prevention of diabetes.”

Participants commented that the seminar provided them with the tools and information they needed to help prevent or manage diabetes, and clarified some common misconceptions about the disease.

Some myths common among diabetes patients:

I have to eat six small meals each day. According to Fraire, patients with diabetes should eat three balanced meals each day, in addition to a bedtime snack.

All carbohydrates are bad. Carbohydrates are the body’s first source of energy, and we need them in the right portion and type, meaning complex carbohydrates like whole grains.

I’m not allowed to eat red meat or pork. Beef and pork can still be enjoyed if lean cuts are selected such as round or loin.

For more information on the Serving Up Healthy seminars, click on the “Healthy Living” tab at www.arrowheadmedcenter.org, or call 909-580-3143.